Kenya: Ntv Cameraman Shot Covering Prison Break

An NTV cameraman James Ng'ang'a was shot and injured while covering the escape by about 15 inmates from the Eldoret prison yesterday.

Ng'ang'a had his two fingers shattered by a bullet which went on to completely destroy his camera during the incident near the Deliverance Church where prison warders were arresting some of the escapees. " I had raised my camera to take motions as the escapees were being loaded onto a vehicle and in the process I just heard something pierce through my fingers and hitting the camera only to realise it was a bullet," said Ng'ang'a.

The prison warders were firing in the air as they moved the escapees to the vehicle and one of them fired in the direction of Ng'ang'a. The warders had insisted that journalists should not cover the arrests but one of their bosses had intervened and ordered the warders to let the journalists do their work. "It seems they were targeting us because they had constantly been asking us to stop taking pictures," said Ng'ang'a.

He was treated at the Eldoret Hospital and later reported the incident at the Eldoret police station. Police officers issued him with a P3 Form and opened an inquiry file. "I thank God that he saved my life so that I can continue taking care of my children," said Ng'ang'a who appeared to be in shock. Eldoret Police boss Paul Kiogora said they would investigate the incident. Prison authorities could not be reached for comment. Prisons officers and the police could not confirm whether all the escaped inmates had been re-arrested.

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